Individual particle characterization of Siberian aerosols by micro-PIXE and backscattering spectrometry

Individual particle analysis using micro‐PIXE and proton backscattering was performed for selected aerosol samples collected over Siberia. Point analyses were complemented by x‐ray mapping for complex particles. Hierarchical cluster analysis of 124 particles identified in general the same particle groups, as found by automated electron microprobe analyses of approximately 25 000 particles from the same locations. However, owing to the superior sensitivity of micro‐PIXE, a number of heavy metals were identified, suggesting an anthropogenic origin of particles. These metals remained undetected by EPXMA owing to its inferior sensitivity. Elemental mapping of single aerosol particles yielded important information on the chemical heterogeneities. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.